A Portable, Electrically-Driven Dutch Cone Penetrometer for Geotechnical Measurements in Soft Estuarine Sediments

Authors

  • Daniel Are
  • G. Paul Kemp
  • Francesca Dalla Giustina
  • John W. Day, Jr.
  • Francesco Scarton

Keywords:

Mississippi Delta, Venice Lagoon, wetland soil characteristics

Abstract

We describe here a portable, electric penetrometer (PEP) for use in soft estuarine sediments. The PEP measures cone resistance, qC, and local unit side friction resistance, fS. It is composed of three components: the cone, the power drive system, and the data acquisition system. This instrument has a larger, more sensitive cone that can measure values of qC and fS in the range of 0-1.5 Kg/cm2. The cone is forced into the sediments by the power drive system and values of qC and fS are logged at 1-4 cm intervals by the data acquisition system. These data can then be used to calculate geotechnical parameters typical of soft clay soils including soil cohesion, cu; compression resistance, qu; Young's modulus, E; stress strain modulus, Eed; over consolidation ratio, OCR; and friction ratio; 100* fS/qC. Several examples of applications are presented from Venice Lagoon and the Mississippi delta.

Downloads

Published

2002-04-04

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 2 (2002): Journal of Coastal Research

Section

Technical Communications

License

Authorization for personal use is granted by the Coastal Education and Research Foundation [CERF]. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright for their article is transferred to the publisher if the article is accepted for publication. Assignment of copyright is not required, however, from authors who work for organizations which do not permit such assignment, The copyright covers the exclusive rights to reprduce and distribute the article, inclduing reprints, photographic reproductions, microform, or any other reproductions of a similar nature, and translations.